Twenty years ago, the Great Pacific Trash island turned the world's attention to the problems caused by plastic waste. In particular, if, over time, the waste decomposes to microplastics, it endangers life in the seas.
Polyethylene terephalate, better known as PET, is one of the most important plastics worldwide. However, only a small part of the production will be recycled - far more material ends up polluting the environment. According to information from the Federal Environmental Agency, it takes up to 450 years before a PET bottle dissolves by itself. As early as 2016, researchers first discovered a bacterium that is able to decompose plastic. To date, however, only a few enzymes are known that possess this ability.
An estimated 300 soil researchers came together in Berlin for the BonaRes conference from February 26 to 28 to discuss their newest findings regarding the soil.
New concepts for the cultivation of food in urban environments are in demand to ensure food security for future generations. Under the umbrella term"urban farming", methods like aquaponics have proven to be a promising alternative. The combination of fish and plants, which use each other in a recirculation system to grow tomatoes and lettuce, not only saves arable land, but above all fertilizer and water. Fish excretion is processed into plant fertilizer by bacteria. In return, the hydroponic plants purify the water of the fish in the aquarium.
Spider silk is a natural fabric with outstanding properties. Spider silk threads are thin but extremely elastic and at the same time as strong as steel. The German biotechnology company AMSilk GmbH produces the material in a bioreactor by converting bacteria into tiny factories for the spider silk protein. The coveted protein can be produced in large quantities with the help of the Escherichia coli microbe. The white powder obtained in this way can be processed into various products, it can even be spun into high-tech fibres.
Every year, 1.6 million people worldwide die from infections with the bacterium Streptococcus. Although there are vaccines against the pathogen, they are largely ineffective against one of the approximately 90 known variants, the so-called serotype 1, which is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and causes many cases of meningitis there.
Globalization has many advantages for humans and technology. But for flora and fauna the mixing of native with foreign organisms can be dangerous. Because non-indigenous animal and plant species often have no natural enemies. Therefore, they spread unhindered and decimate the resources for native species.
Microbes, fungi and bacteria are important resources for the bioeconomy. All three of them can be used either for degradation processes of biological material as for instance in a biogas plant, or for the production of materials or vegan food. However, the use and above all the international exchange of these resources is subject to strict legal requirements.
Specialised wristwatches and smartphone apps not only measure our exercise performance, but also help to systematically and individually plan our training in advance and thus help improve our performance. By now, these "wearables" are part of the standard equipment even for amateur athletes. But can the athletic performance also be controlled and improved upon by the clothing itself?
For the second time, the German Bioeconomy Council, with the financial support of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), has invited experts on bioeconomy, innovation, and sustainability from all over the world to Berlin. The Council has been established as an independent advisory board to the Federal Government in 2009. During the Summit, which will take place on April 19 and 20, the focus will be on opportunities and challenges for an increasingly biobased and sustainable economy.